It’s no secret that public, high-traffic places have air and surfaces that are very often loaded with bacteria, mold spores, viruses, and other organisms that aren’t good for us to come into contact with.
High-traffic businesses such as public transportation, gyms, and hotels, for example, run into this problem directly because most of the pathogens come from human customers (and sometimes their animals).
And while most good businesses will have regular cleaning services being performed, there are still many areas that are missed and re-contaminated by dirty sponges, mops, etc.
What is disinfectant fogging?
Disinfectant fogging involves saturating an entire room with a microbial substance that can purify and remove pathogens from the air, as well as from surfaces within the room.
This type of large-scale disinfection process is typically carried out sparingly in high-risk areas because of the risk of inhaling the disinfectant solution, and the time it takes to safely clean a room using this method.
Despite these drawbacks, disinfectant fogging is highly effective at combating pathogens, particularly those that are airborne or carried in respiratory droplets, such as the flu virus or COVID-19 coronavirus.
How do disinfectant foggers work?
All foggers work by filling a room with a solution that has disinfectant properties. There are a number of varieties of disinfectant fogger machines on the market, which provide different types of fogging treatment.
Choosing the right treatment for your facility will depend on its use, potential pathogen exposure, and the surfaces to be disinfected. The most common treatments are:
- Chemical fogging
- Vaporized hydrogen peroxide
- Ozone
- Chlorine dioxide
- Ionization
Chemical fogging
A chemical fogger can be a purpose-built, permanent structure in a factory or warehouse, or a mobile unit brought into a workplace as needed.
Chemical foggers work by dispensing a fine mist of disinfectant solution until the atmosphere is supersaturated. This applies an even coating of solution to all surfaces in the room, as well as disinfecting the air.
The length of the treatment depends on the size of the area being fogged, but typically takes 30–60 minutes to complete, with an additional 60 minutes or more for the mist to dissipate and the air in the room to return to breathable levels.
Vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP)
This is a popular method of disinfectant fogging used in medical settings and pharmaceutical environments, for cleanrooms and similar spaces.
Cleaning with VHP involves the additional step of dehumidifying the room and takes longer to complete. Usually, VHP lasts 2–4 hours of fogging followed by aeration with clean air to render the room safe for use.
Unlike chemical foggers, VHP fogging cannot penetrate organic biofilms and residues, and therefore is unable to remove all bacteria and pathogens. It also requires pre-cleaning in order to be effective.
Ozone fogging
Ozone is a highly reactive compound and is produced at the point of use by passing air through a high-energy source such as UV light.
To treat a workplace with ozone, the room must be humidified before ozone generation and cleared with fresh air after treatment. This type of fogging usually takes 30–90 minutes from start to completion.
The use of ozone as a fogging agent is generally inadvisable in areas with corrodible metals such as aluminium, zinc, copper, and iron. Humans are particularly sensitive to ozone, and it is highly reactive once it has entered the respiratory tract, so extra precautions must be taken to fully air the room after fogging has been completed.
Chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) treatment
Chlorine dioxide is a good choice for fogging because the gas breaks down into harmless salts. However, it is an unstable compound that has to be generated on location and requires strict temperature and humidity parameters, making it unsuitable for all purposes.
Generally, chlorine dioxide is generated using sodium chlorite and chlorine gas, so there is an element of risk involved in handling harmful gases during this process. For this reason, chlorine dioxide fogging should always be performed by a trained and licensed professional.
Ionization
This process involves passing air over ionizing tubes to create charged ions that seek out and neutralize naturally charged airborne microorganisms.
Ongoing disinfection can be achieved with ionization by releasing a controlled amount of positive and negative ions, and some commercial units produce a continual supply of ionized radicals to maintain a consistently clean environment.
Where can foggers be used?
Although antibacterial foggers have traditionally been used in industrial and medical settings, they are increasingly common in everyday cleaning situations. With growing concern about viral transmission, fogging for home use, offices, schools, vehicles, and COVID-19-related sanitation is becoming more prevalent.
To be effective, fogging must be carried out in enclosed spaces that can be sealed off for at least a couple of hours. Train cars, school buses, emergency and personal vehicles are good environments for fogging, and this method of disinfection can be faster and more efficient than manual cleaning methods.
Before fogging any room or vehicle with a home fogging kit, check instructions regarding room size, temperature, and humidity parameters. Using incorrect conditions can make the treatment ineffective. Fogging too large an area can reduce effectiveness, while fogging too small an area can lead to oversaturation and unsafe conditions.
Small business uses for foggers
- Public restrooms
- Locker rooms
- Gyms and pools
- Veterinary and medical clinics
- Commercial kitchens
- Company vehicles
At-home fogging
Germicidal room foggers are available for at-home use. The Pheno D fogger is EPA-registered as an antimicrobial agent effective against viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungi in bathrooms, locker rooms, and similar environments.
Whenever you are using a home fogger, it is important to ensure that the area being treated is securely sealed during the process and properly aired afterward. Always follow the instructions on the label, and remember: fogging is not a substitute for good cleaning.
Industries that use fogging for cleaning
- Food processing
- Animal husbandry
- Medical and pharmaceutical
- Wastewater plants
- Hospitality
- Manufacturing
…and more!